This week marked a significant milestone in the educational landscape of Northern Canada with the grand opening of a groundbreaking new college in downtown Yellowknife – The College of Northern Canada (CNC). This institution was born out of a recognition by decision-makers and elders of the unique educational needs of its Northern Canada communities. Our college stands as a nontraditional academic provider, dedicated to supporting lifelong learning for both residents and distant learners, with a special focus on serving the North.
The college has achieved its most substantial milestone this year with the establishment of its seven Centres of Learning and Continuing Education. Each centre operates within a defined scope, aiming to disseminate knowledge across three key components: courseware, conferences, and research. Notably, the institution has inaugurated the first Centre of Excellence in Logistics Learning in Northern Canada – endorsed by the Canadian Institute of Traffic and Transportation – setting a gold standard for logistics education in Northern Canada.
“This is not just a milestone for our institution,” stated the college president, “but an enormous opportunity for our Northern region to develop highly skilled and resilient workers and future leaders in transportation and logistics, among other critical industries.”
Under the scope of its Centre of Environment and Sustainability, the college has made remarkable strides. Within its first year, the institution was awarded a certificate of leadership for being one of the major organizers and sponsors of Africa’s first international SWAT Conference (Soil and Water Assessment Tool), promoting the use of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) in managing global watersheds and water basins. This conference was championed by CNC President Dr. Chehrazade Aboukinane MSc., EMBA, PhD., P.Eng. GRICerfifiedSP – who served on its scientific committee.
In our ongoing commitment to academic excellence, scholarly engagement, and lifelong learning within the Northwest Territories, CNC is also proud to introduce two new scholarships this year in honour of its founding Elders, Norman Yakeleya and Tom Beaulieu. The Yakeleya Scholarship for Academic Excellence and Transformative Learning and the Beaulieu Scholarship for Professional Development, Research, and Scholarly Advancement will be awarded to Indigenous community members based on academic merit, diversity and inclusion, research experience, or specific professional experience.
These scholarships underscore our dedication to promoting educational opportunities and supporting the aspirations of Indigenous students in our region. Together, we will build a brighter, more inclusive, and resilient future for the North.
